30 Acts of Kindness 15-21: The Easy Ones With No Pictures

During February, March (because snow is not my friend) I'm celebrating my 30th Birthday with 30 Acts of Kindness suggested by readers.  The point of these posts isn't to "brag" about what I've been doing, but rather to raise awareness about different organizations in Prince William County and share how you and your family can get involved in making our area a better place to live.  If you'd like to join me in any of my assignments, or if you participate in one on your own, I'd love to get your picture and/or story to share!! I'd love to think this is making a difference, and I hope that you'll join me!  

I am a bad blogger.  I am so very far behind on these posts- but I definitely wanted to do an update!! Last we spoke, I'd completed task 14 at the Bill Mehr Drop in Shelter thanks to Chick Fil A. 

Let's continue with some of the easy ones that I don't have pictures for because of privacy/inability to take a picture of the person benefitting:

15- Drive Thru Difference.  
This one was super easy! You can read more about it and even print a letter by visiting WGTS or you can just drop some extra money off with the drive-thru cashier.  You don't have to pay for someone's whole order (we lucked out and the person behind us just got lunch for one, I was sure when I agreed to this one I was going to end up with a full conversion van of 20 people behind me) you can just do $5 or $10- it'll make a difference in their day!

16/17- Get someone's coffee (Bonus: Pet Treats)
We happened to be at Walmart in Manassas one day and there were two gentlemen sitting outside in the rain with their dog trying to pick up some work.  We picked up some dog treats, hot coffee, and cookies and told them to have a great day.  It was cold, so hopefully it was a helpful pick me up! 

18- Dinner at an ACTS Shelter (My contribution was cupcakes)
A very sweet Girl Scout troop offered me the opportunity to join their dinner at the Domestic Violence Shelter, I made cupcakes and they served.  Thank you, girl scouts!

19- Fill up all the vending machines (We did CiCis Pizza)
This was a fun one for my kids to help with.  We got quarters and left them in the vending machines at CiCis so that when the next group of kids got there, they'd get a fun treat.  The kids actually had a lot of fun imagining who was going to get each thing. 

20- Take someone dinner
This worked out well because we had friends who were adopting! Even if you're not the best cook in the world, Boston Market is a nice change from Pizza! 

21- Volunteer with a kids group-
I'm counting volunteering at Cub Scout Day Camp.  Because I did, and I can :) Additionally, I got to shoot a bow and arrow, at which I am not horrible.  Bonus. 

30 Acts of Kindness Task 14: Hypothermia Shelter Dinner

During February, March (because snow is not my friend) I'm celebrating my 30th Birthday with 30 Acts of Kindness suggested by readers.  The point of these posts isn't to "brag" about what I've been doing, but rather to raise awareness about different organizations in Prince William County and share how you and your family can get involved in making our area a better place to live.  If you'd like to join me in any of my assignments, or if you participate in one on your own, I'd love to get your picture and/or story to share!! I'd love to think this is making a difference, and I hope that you'll join me!  

The Bill Mehr Drop-In Shelter is run by the Cooperative Council of Ministries (CCOM) and is located at 14730 Potomac Mills Road.  If you're on Telegraph Road just past Toys R Us, where you could turn left onto Opitz/Smoketown to go to Wegmans, but you go straight towards the bus depot instead, you will eventually dead-end into the shelter.   From November 1-March 31 from 6:30pm-7am, this space is also used as a 50-bed hypothermia shelter.  This allows area residents who typically sleep in tents or other makeshift spaces to come in from the cold and sleep safely.  The space also offers shower facilities.  Patrons are offered a ride to churches on some nights where dinner is provided, but some cannot or prefer not to go, and some nights there's not a dinner option, so I was very excited that you guys helped me to bring a simple meal over.  Chick Fil A Sudley Manor Drive happened to be celebrating their 50th Anniversary of the Chick Fil A Sandwich by giving away 50 of them.  To win, entrants just had to say what they'd do with the sandwiches and have friends/family/facebook vote for their idea.  You guys are an awesome flash mob ;)  I picked up all 50 of my sandwiches at once and drove them over to Woodbridge one fine Wednesday evening.

My car smelled so buttery and delicious.  

I needed to take the heated bag back to CFA, so I had a good excuse to sit and chat with folks while they ate.  I love talking to people, and there were a lot of really great stories shared around the table.  This was a really easy and quick way to do something positive.  We actually did this as an impromptu family project when the "Polar Vortex" first came though.  My mom really has a heart for people not being cold- it's actually an ongoing joke with us that she cannot drive through DC in the winter without "losing" her coat.  She and her BFF brought over materials to my house and with my kids we packaged PBJs, Cup of Noodles, Crackers, and a treat up so the shelter could hand them out.  There's a kitchen in the facility, so hot water, microwave, and fridge are available. Simple, easy, and still helpful- this was definitely an easy act for anyone to try!! I bet it'd work just as well with $5 pizzas from Little Caesar's if you don't have a contest to win! 

PS- while the shelter will be closing at the end of the month for evenings, they'll still have the drop-in shelter open during the day.  They have a list of needed items, including boots in various sizes, on their website, so be sure to check that out! 

30 Acts of Kindness Task 13: ACTS Thrift Shop

During February, I'm celebrating my 30th Birthday with 30 Acts of Kindness suggested by readers.  The point of these posts isn't to "brag" about what I've been doing, but rather to raise awareness about different organizations in Prince William County and share how you and your family can get involved in making our area a better place to live.  If you'd like to join me in any of my assignments, or if you participate in one on your own, I'd love to get your picture and/or story to share!! I'd love to think this is making a difference, and I hope that you'll join me!  

I feel like I owe ACTS another day of Thrift Shop work- I ran late in traffic and arrived 20 minutes after I should have and then I had to duck out early because my son had a hockey tournament in York, PA and we were told that we should leave extra travel time.  I actually really liked working at the thrift store- first because I had a few readers join me and it's always so cool to chat with you guys, and second because we got to organize books, which I loved! I really like jobs where I can see that I'm accomplishing something, so watching books and boxes and bags get emptied out was really satisfying! 

The ACTS Thrift Store is located at the Route 1 split in Dumfries and staffed by the lovely people in red vests. 

You can donate, shop, and volunteer at the Thrift Store.  I'm going to tell you right now- they had amazing prices!! There was a special sale the day we were there, so books (normally 5 for $1) were 10 for $1! People got hardcover collectors books, the entire Twilight Series, 50 Shades of Grey, The Help, and more! Kids books were 5 CENTS EACH, and there were tons of nice books! I saw people snag Harry Potter, Percy Jackson, unopened Sesame Street and Dora music books, and more! I didn't spend a lot of time in the clothes, but I did notice some really nice work shirts if your husband has to wear a button-down for his job. 

Donation Hours:

Tuesday – Friday: 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Saturday: 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Retail Hours:

Monday – Friday: 10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Saturday: 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

To volunteer, contact Robin at rsheedy@actspwc.org.  This work can involve some lifting/moving, so it's best suited for older teens and adults- but it really was satisfying work! 

 

30 Acts of Kindness Task 11: The 25th Project

During February, I'm celebrating my 30th Birthday with 30 Acts of Kindness suggested by readers.  The point of these posts isn't to "brag" about what I've been doing, but rather to raise awareness about different organizations in Prince William County and share how you and your family can get involved in making our area a better place to live.  If you'd like to join me in any of my assignments, or if you participate in one on your own, I'd love to get your picture and/or story to share!! I'd love to think this is making a difference, and I hope that you'll join me!  

Do you like to tailgate? No, seriously, this is a legitimate question.  Why? Because if you do, The 25th Project might be the PERFECT place for you to volunteer your time.  

Organizer Jay Herriot started The 25th Project by handing out meals on Thanksgiving and Christmas with his family.  Since they both happened to fall on the 25th, they decided to keep going, and provide home-cooked meals each month on the 25th.  You can come out with your family and help out this fun organization every month on the 25th.  There is basically zero prep work involved.  You show up (we brought socks, but there's a list of needed items available here), you split into groups, and you hang out in a parking lot and eat some really really tasty soup and chat with people.  More than anything, I've learned as I do this 30 Acts series, people really just want to connect with other people.  

I took my boys (ages 7 and 10) with me, and we had an awesome time.  This isn't a "heavy lifting" type of volunteering, but it's very personal and fun.  

So, here's the process:
1) Check the facebook page.  RSVP that you're coming and if you want to bring some needed items, stop at Walmart on the way.  
2) You're going to meet up with the big group BEHIND Home Depot.  I drove past Kohls and Global Food to the end of the shopping center, and there was obviously a group of people doing something! People meet up starting around 4:15-4:30.
3) Volunteers divide up.  A group stays behind Home Depot, another group heads to Kmart, and another group heads to the shelter.  
4) Chat and help out.  Hand out socks, first aid kits, soup and bread.  Talk about the Redskins.  Talk about whatever.  Be a friend.  It's awesome.
5) Can't actually show up? The 25th Project is a 501c3 and you can donate to them, which helps to pay for things like Propane Tank Refills- so very vital in the cold weather and not cheap!  Mail checks to: 

  The 25th Project
  6908 Sydenstricker Road
  Springfield, VA  22152

30 Acts of Kindness Task 10: Organize/Donate

During February, I'm celebrating my 30th Birthday with 30 Acts of Kindness suggested by readers.  The point of these posts isn't to "brag" about what I've been doing, but rather to raise awareness about different organizations in Prince William County and share how you and your family can get involved in making our area a better place to live.  If you'd like to join me in any of my assignments, or if you participate in one on your own, I'd love to get your picture and/or story to share!! I'd love to think this is making a difference, and I hope that you'll join me!  

Between the snow, the ice, and that thing I did on Saturday (#SilverSparkles!) I have gotten way behind on writing about my 30 Acts of Kindness, but that doesn't mean that I forgot about them!! Since several had to be rescheduled due to weather, I'm going to end up going into March, but I figure that as long as I get them done, I'm good! 

I had several people write in to suggest that I round up unnecesary items around Casa di Kotlus and make a donation to Lupus/AmVets/Goodwill or some other organization that will come to you and pick up your items.

Now, this was a fantastic suggestion for several reasons.  First, since we currently live in a townhouse, I make it a regular habit to get rid of anything that we aren't using- with the exception of Christmas decorations- and so I'm always getting calls asking if we have anything to donate.  Second, since we are currently in the process of selling our house, there's nothing wrong with fewer things to move and put away! We were able to round up 3 garbage bags of clothes, toys, shoes, and other items, and have them picked up at our home! Easy peasy lemon squeezy! My kids are actually great at doing roundups of unwanted toys now- we keep repeating we're "so blessed we have to give things away" to them from the time they're born ;) and the best way to help them is to give a one minute challenge and have them find something, which removes the temptation of agonizing over which teddy bear won't "miss" them. 

Thanks so very much for that Toy Story 3.

If you'd like to clear out your home and benefit others in our community here are a few resources of organizations that will pick up at your home:
Vietnam Veterans of America
AMVETS
Lupus Foundation
National Children's Center
Goodwill
Salvation Army

These organizations will schedule a date/time for pickup and even leave a donation slip so you can claim your donation value on your taxes.  Note that the Salvation Army gives guidelines on what you can claim for various items on their website, which can be tremendously helpful.

Happy Donating!! 
 

30 Acts of Kindness Task 9: Helping Hands of Grace

During February, I'm celebrating my 30th Birthday with 30 Acts of Kindness suggested by readers.  The point of these posts isn't to "brag" about what I've been doing, but rather to raise awareness about different organizations in Prince William County and share how you and your family can get involved in making our area a better place to live.  If you'd like to join me in any of my assignments, or if you participate in one on your own, I'd love to get your picture and/or story to share!! I'd love to think this is making a difference, and I hope that you'll join me!  

Our American Heritage Girls (AHG) group helps out periodically at the Helping Hands of Grace meals held at Grace Baptist Church in Woodbridge. Helping Hands of Grace holds dinner for those utilizing the winter shelter each Friday evening from November-March.  Guests are picked up from the winter shelter and brought back to the church for a short devotional and meal.  HHG also helps with the drop-in shelter (Bill Mehr Drop-In Center) from April-October, which provides access to showers, restrooms, and a light meal before and after typical work hours.  Grace takes meals on Tuesday evenings. They also help out at the Hilda Barg Center providing meals.

Serving dinner at the Helping Hands of Grace Friday evening meals is a fantastic project.  Again, there were no age limits, so as long as you have adequate adults to supervise you can bring your whole family.  Our AHG troop had a great time.  As with any service opportunity where there are lots of people in and out of a space, you'll want to make sure you're managing your children well and not letting them wander, but that goes for any activity.  For our Friday night project, each family signed up to bring a casserole, a side dish, salad, bread, or dessert.  We brought our food prepared, although there an oven and a microwave are available for reheating items.  Kids helped set up the tables, adults laid out food and prepared drinks (lemonade, coffee, I believe there was iced tea).  During dinner, both children and adults served guests food and children went around refilling drinks.  After dinner we all helped with cleanup and packaged the leftovers into provided containers to be taken back to the shelter for those who couldn't/didn't take the shelter over to eat.

We originally planned to go as a whole family, but Logan and Savannah had been in the car all afternoon and weren't feeling well, so Riley and I stayed, while Austin took our little two home.  Riley is 10, and he was really a rockstar doing this- I think 9 or 10 is a great age for kids to be engaged in service like this because they're old enough and experienced enough to do a lot of work on their own.  Granted, younger kids can obviously serve salad or bread and greet people with a smile, but I really enjoyed watching Riley keep himself busy and working- he's got a good heart :)

If you'd like to get involved with Helping Hands of Grace, contact ministry leaders Steve and Melissa Brooks to volunteer or for information at helpinghandsgracebaptist@gmail.com or 703-403-8612.

30 Acts of Kindness Task 8: Help @ An Elementary School

During February, I'm celebrating my 30th Birthday with 30 Acts of Kindness suggested by readers.  The point of these posts isn't to "brag" about what I've been doing, but rather to raise awareness about different organizations in Prince William County and share how you and your family can get involved in making our area a better place to live.  If you'd like to join me in any of my assignments, or if you participate in one on your own, I'd love to get your picture and/or story to share!! I'd love to think this is making a difference, and I hope that you'll join me!  

Whoohoo is this 30 Acts of Kindness keeping me busy!! Listen, if I can fit 30 of these suckers into a 28-day month, I hope some of you will consider getting in one at some point in 2014! Hopefully more, but at least one! I'm trying really hard to give you lots and lots of options so that you'll find something that is a perfect fit for you!

I cannot find the email, but someone wrote in and suggested I volunteer at an elementary school that doesn't get a lot of volunteers.  When Riley, my 10 year old, went to school (we haven't always been those weird homeschoolers, you know) I volunteered as much as I could at his base school.  It's not always easy when you've got younger kids at home, but there is truly no better way to understand what's going on at your child's school, and to know which teachers you want, than to be there!!  

I put up a post on Facebook asking for teachers that could use a few volunteer hours, and the first response I got was from Mrs. Rupay-Dean of Neabsco Elementary, who invited me to help out in the library for a few hours.  

Holy holy holy, people.

If you've got kids, and I assume you do since you're reading my website, you know what they can do to a bookshelf.  Now imagine a few hundred of them over the course of a day.  

Yup, we've got some shelves to stock :) This was actually a really nice way to pass a few hours- the kids come in and out, but clearing the carts really made me feel like I actually accomplished something, even if I knew it wouldn't last.

I'm in touch with that concept- I keep cleaning my house, and my kids keep messing it up.  However, I feel really good for the five minutes it lasts :) 

Anyhow, volunteering at a  school can work for just about anyone! Love kids? Great! They can use you in a classroom, as a reading buddy, or helping with an after-school activity.  Don't love kids? You can make copies, cut pieces for file-folder games, or stock books in the library.  Want to help but don't have a babysitter for your little kids? Call the school- there's probably something you could do from home, whether it's prepping a project or cutting out bulletin board pieces.  If you have a special skill, like computers, robotics, or any passion you'd like to share, the school might have just the place for you!! Just call the front desk and let them know you want to help out!

I think that volunteering at a school could be a great fit for lots of mommas, whether you're checking out the school your little ones will go to, helping while your children attend, or just going to help because you can! Teens could be a great help too, especially homeschoolers who have extra time, although I remember helping at the Lake Ridge Elementary French program when I was a high school junior- I just had to make sure I beat the buses out of the parking lot!  

Thanks for the great idea, and thanks to Neabsco Elementary for having me (and for the fire drill! Those were always the coolest when I was a kid!)  

30 Acts of Kindness Task 7: Be Thankful

During February, I'm celebrating my 30th Birthday with 30 Acts of Kindness suggested by readers.  The point of these posts isn't to "brag" about what I've been doing, but rather to raise awareness about different organizations in Prince William County and share how you and your family can get involved in making our area a better place to live.  If you'd like to join me in any of my assignments, or if you participate in one on your own, I'd love to get your picture and/or story to share!! I'd love to think this is making a difference, and I hope that you'll join me!  

Several of you wrote in and suggested I send some kind of food or treat to nurses at various hospitals.  INOVA Fairfax, INOVA Fair Oaks, and the Birth Center at Sentara, along with NICUs all over NOVA made the list.  Since I'm celebrating my one-year survival from a 16 hour brain surgery (in case you missed that somehow over the last few weeks), I decided I wanted to send something to the doctors and nurses that allowed me to stay alive.

Neurologist Dr. Sheela Meyers would be first on that list.  After months of being told that I had migraines and needed to just deal with it, Dr. Meyers listened to me and ordered the MRI that showed just how wrong the "migraine" diagnosis was.  She's on leave right now, though, so I'm just going to have to make due with giving her massive props on the internet. (edit: She emailed me! How cool is the internet? She's now in Fair Oaks, which is where I guess I'll be schlepping for neuro appointments assuming her new practice takes my insurance!)

After Dr. Meyers, I have to recognize Dr. Vikram Nayar of Georgetown Hospital.  Calm and friendly without being patronizing, Dr. Nayar is the man who performed my marathon surgery with such skill that I was able to leave the hospital walking and talking, however slowly.  He and his staff have been friendly, kind, and compassionate, and we appreciate both them and him so very much.

Finally, the Neurology floor nurses at GUH.  Do you know what massive doses of steroids and pain do to people?  I apparently yelled some things at people that cannot be repeated on a family-friendly blog.  I don't remember this, and I didn't mean to, but these amazing men and women took care of me anyway.  There are no words for how little I would ever want to deal with post-op brain patients, and also no words for how grateful I am that these nurses do.  I know that we have lots of great medical staff in our area, but I would defy you to find better nurses than the ones I had at Georgetown, whether I was in the ER or on the neuro floor. I wish I could remember all of their names but shoutouts to Ron in the ICU, Grace in the stepdown, and Tina in ER.  (Not that they're reading this, but let's pretend)

I know it's their job to take care of people, but I cannot begin to express how grateful I am that the amazing team at Georgetown does it so well. 

I ended up sending Edible Arrangements.  I cannot begin to tell you how lame that seemed as a thank-you to the people who cared for me when I needed it most, but they did dip the strawberries in chocolate, so hopefully that helps take some of the "lame" off, just a little. 

Thanks for the idea, everyone who wrote in!! If I didn't send something to your favorite doctors and nurses, please consider doing so yourself- even if it's just a note, I'm sure that they'd love to know how much you appreciate them! 

30 Acts of Kindness Tasks 3-6, Show Some Love

During February, I'm celebrating my 30th Birthday with 30 Acts of Kindness suggested by readers.  The point of these posts isn't to "brag" about what I've been doing, but rather to raise awareness about different organizations in Prince William County and share how you and your family can get involved in making our area a better place to live.  If you'd like to join me in any of my assignments, or if you participate in one on your own, I'd love to get your picture and/or story to share!! I'd love to think this is making a difference, and I hope that you'll join me!  

One of my greatest hopes in doing this series was that just ONE person would be inspired to take their family out to make a difference.  I had three different mommas write in and suggest showing appreciation to our local police, firefighters, and library staff.  We made triple chocolate chip and oatmeal Craisin cookies and delivered them to Lake Ridge Neighborhood Library, OWL Station 14, and Logan's scout leader, who's a PWC Police Officer, was kind enough to deliver our cookies to the station for us.  However, the big news, for me, was an email that I received from a momma who decided she'd do the same.  I cannot tell you how this made my day :) I knew someone had done the same thing because they mentioned it on the Manassas Park Fire and Rescue Page. I had a few readers email/message to ask if the cookies were mine, and I was so excited to say no! I was even more excited to get the full report from mom Julie sharing their amazing experience taking part in this "assignment".  Rather than share my prepared post, I'm going to share her email, with permission, of course!

Thank you so much Julie, for sharing your story- that was such an act of kindness to me, as I always wonder if anything I do is making an impact. 
____________________________________________________
  I'll begin with yesterday (2/2/14), busy busy and more busy. Sunday School, church, home to change and get coupons, "quick" (lol) 4 hour trip to Wal-Mart on Super Bowl Sunday, back home, gramma starts mixing the dough as I put away groceries, settle kiddos down. The nightseemed like it never ended, why you may ask, well my 4 yr old didn't fall asleep till 2 hrs past norm, about then the 2 yr old woke from his 2 hour night nap at 9:30pm and up till like 4(am)!!!!! So my 3hr
sleep was precious!
Noon on 2/3/14 I set off with only my 4 yr old because the little one isn't feeling great. Cookies all packaged up and ready to go, I thought it would be fairly quick since everything was close by (NOT) :). 

We started at the police station where Ms. Bunge greeted us with a smile. As we were talking, mainly my non stop 4 yr old son William, she asked if he had a children's id. We don't, so she asked if we wanted to, sure that sounds great since we are already here. That was the beginning to the wonderful experience we had at Manassas Park police station. About the time we were done with making the id officer William was standing there talking away to William, he gives us free passes to the community  center for the whole family and then asks if we are ready for the tour- I wasn't even aware we were going on! He took us around showing William everything from their newest police vehicle to pulling up a cruiser close to the building so we could see it but not get wet, all the while picking up different things to take with us, a photo of a police vehicle, cups, pens, sticker/picture game, I was running out of hands. Then he shares with me his job which is community outreach, says he has a office at the rec center where he was when we arrived but to my surprise Ms. Bunge had called him and asked if he could come over to give us a tour!!! I was in awe of their kindness they showed us when we were the ones trying to do the kind act for them, officer William didn't even know he had cookies waiting for him!!!

After that, it was off to the fire house. EMT Lee greeted us with a warm smile as we handed over the tasty cookies. Asks William if he wants to see a fire truck, he says yes as if you needed me to say that! Lee was awesome showing us around, sharing his knowledge about how those big red fire trucks work and letting William roam all around from one vehicle to the next! From there William got a cool plastic glove balloon with a painted face made by Lee and his own pair of plastic EMT gloves!! (Way past time to eat so we break at Starbucks for a quick snack).

 Now to the library!!! Started by returning a book, then to the information desk where William hands cookies to the "nice lady" he calls her. She was excited to get cookies, said the peanut blossoms were her favorite!! William and the"nice lady" talked for a few minutes until he inched his way toward the kid area anxiously wanting to start doing puzzles, she says what a wonderful boy he is and that he could stay there all day talking to her, I share that he talks from the time he wakes till his eyes close, so she says well in moderation(lol), she shares that her daughter was that way and even talked in her sleep!! (We stayed at the library doing puzzles and reading books for a little while). Not sure what "nice lady's" name was.

5 o'clock we finally get back home!! So much to share with little brother and grandma about it fantastic day that turned into a kindness act from both sides that was pure and from the heart!
~ Julie 

30 Acts of Kindness: Task 2, Become a Cancer Mentor

During February, I'm celebrating my 30th Birthday with 30 Acts of Kindness suggested by readers.  The point of these posts isn't to "brag" about what I've been doing, but rather to raise awareness about different organizations in Prince William County and share how you and your family can get involved in making our area a better place to live.  If you'd like to join me in any of my assignments, or if you participate in one on your own, I'd love to get your picture and/or story to share!! I'd love to think this is making a difference, and I hope that you'll join me!  

I'm not sure I'm any kind of authority on how to have cancer.  In fact, the type of brain tumor I had, which is called an Ependymoma, may actually be or not be cancer depending on who you ask.  My health insurance, for example, seems to think I'm peachy-keen and don't need MRIs to check for regrowth.  My oncologist (that's a cancer doctor) and radiation oncologist (that's a cancer doctor with lasers) both say the mass in my brain that tried to kill me is probably coming back to try again.  

If it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck...

Anyway, since some cancer centers classify ependymomas as cancer and others don't, I was actually really nervous about this task, suggested by Meaghan H., because I could see myself being really devistated if I reached out to an organization and they told me I wasn't "cancery" enough.  

We make up adjectives here on PwcMoms.  It's okay. 

 Anyhow, there are a few organizations out there designed to help people facing a health crisis by connecting them with survivors.  Tell us about it Beyonce!

Not really, that's actually her singing "Survivor" to a girl with brain cancer....but it's a good Kleenex moment.

Two organizations that I'd like to mention are Immerman Angels, which is the group that I registered through, and  What Next.

Both of these groups are designed to offer patient to former-patient connection to help make decision making easier, or just to let people know they're not alone in what they're going through.  While all the healthy people that rally around you are incredible, sometimes they just don't understand (and you hope they never have to) what you're actually dealing with.  People tell me all the time that I seem so healthy and energetic they'd never guess I was sick- which is what I want them to think, but it's a lie because I don't want people to see me struggle or complain, and I think a lot of us do that in our lives, no matter what we're struggling with.  That's why it's so beneficial to link people up who can take off the mask and be real with each other to offer support through shared experience. 

This assignment took me about 15 minutes total.  I filled out the volunteer form and got a call from a coordinator who asked me a few questions and explained that I could be matched with someone tomorrow or in two years, so to just hang tight.

If you've gone through a tough experience, whether it's cancer, domestic violence, loss of a loved one, or anything else at all, I hope you'll take this as an invitation to reach out and let your experience help someone else cope.  Showing there's a light at the end of the tunnel for someone else's journey can be a tremendous thing.  

Thanks for the idea, Meaghan!! 

(If you participate in my 30 Acts of Kindness by doing one of the activities, or one of your own, shoot me an email or send me a picture to share!! You don't have to do all 30 things with me, just one act of kindness makes a huge difference in the world!)  

30 Acts of Kindness: Task 1, StreetLight

During February, I'm celebrating my 30th Birthday with 30 Acts of Kindness suggested by readers.  The point of these posts isn't to "brag" about what I've been doing, but rather to raise awareness about different organizations in Prince William County and share how you and your family can get involved in making our area a better place to live.  If you'd like to join me in any of my assignments, or if you participate in one on your own, I'd love to get your picture and/or story to share!! I'd love to think this is making a difference, and I hope that you'll join me! 

My very first "Act of Kindness" was to go and help out at StreetLight Community Outreach Ministries.  This was such a fantastic experience, and I want to give a huge shoutout to the fabulous volunteers from All Saints Church who were also there the night we went to serve, which was January 29th. 

Bonus- you get gloves to wear! How cool are we?

There is a lot going on at StreetLight, and things might seem a little chaotic/unorganized when volunteers initially arrive, but everything ends up working smoothly. 

StreetLight offers supportive housing, crisis aid, a pantry, weekly "Harvest Banquets" (this is where I went), an at-risk youth group, Thanksgiving Eve Dinner, and Children's Holiday Banquet. There are tons of opportunities for volunteering, including a need for daytime administrative help, which would be a great part-time volunteering gig for a momma with kids in school but not ready to go back to work quite yet.  The office experience would look great on a resume, and you'd be helping facilitate programs for the homeless and hungry in PWC! Love it!

The weekly "Harvest Banquets" occur each Wednesday and serve a HEARTY meal to about 125 men, women, and children.  Prince William County social workers also attend the dinner so they can ensure they are providing services and information to those that need it.  Volunteers are needed during the day to set up and cook, as well as in the evening to serve food and help clean up.  Dinner is served at 7:30 and volunteers arrive at 7.  StreetLight is housed inside Vineyard Church, which is at the corner of Route 1 and the PW Parkway. 

What's great about the Harvest Banquets is there's no age limit.  Austin (PwcDad) and I took Riley (10), Logan (7) and Savannah (5) to help, and they weren't the youngest by any stretch.  Obviously there are a lot of people coming in and out during this event, so you'll want to make sure that you have adequate adults in your family to work close beside your children, but everyone was able to have a task.  We handed out deserts, but other families with young children were assigned to pouring drinks, scooping out salads, or serving main dishes with a smile.  You can volunteer as a family, or you can sign up with your church, youth group, scout pack, or just a group of friends. We really had a great time.

Handing out cake :) Our friends from Scouts and American Heritage Girls attend All Saints and snapped a few candid shots of me working.  The tiny purple girl in front of me is Savannah.

If you'd like to help but can't attend, StreetLight keeps a list of needed items and volunteer opportunities on their website.  You can make a donation through your CFC Campaign, come to their fundraisers, or volunteer to pick up groceries. 

Thanks so Jennifer M. for the great first task! I hope that if StreetLight's mission speaks to you, you'll take the time to go volunteer, as well!

30 Acts of Kindness- The List

Thank you guys so much for all of the fantastic ideas for my 30 Acts of Kindness!

For those of you who missed this- I'm turning 30 in February, a birthday we weren't sure I was going to have, and in honor of that, I want to do something useful for the world, so I'm celebrating with 30 Acts of Kindness suggested by you guys! 

I'm really excited to do each of these! I still have a few spots open, and am waiting on date confirmation on a few.  If you'd like to join me for anything, please email me!  If you do something, too, I'd love pictures- if all of you did 6 acts of kindness in February, that'd be 30,000 acts of kindness for my birthday.  Best present EVER.  I'll be blogging about each of these to raise awareness (where applicable) and so you know I didn't just "say" I did them :) Hope you'll join me!

Wednesday, January 29th (Email me to come too)
1.  Come and volunteer at Streelight Ministries
Thursday, January 30th (Want to join me? 4235 Dale Blvd. Dale City VA)
2.  Donate any leftover baby items to BirthRight
Saturday, February 1st
12. Become a cancer mentor with Immerman's Angels
Sunday, February 2nd
17. Go through your closet and donate any extras to AmVets/Lupus/Goodwill
Monday, February 3rd (Doing this, too? Send me a picture!)
7. Take cookies to the Librarians
22. Take cookies to the Fire Fighters
29. Take cookies to the Police Station
Tuesday, February 4th (Doing this, too? Send me a picture!)
16. Volunteer to help teachers at a school with less volunteers
Wednesday, February 5th
3.  Send/Take treats to the nurses at Georgetown Hospital (I picked the doctors and nurses at the hospital where my surgery was- although you guys recommended people all over NOVA!)
 24. Talk to Girl Scouts about how they can get involved in Community Service (Thanks for the invite!!)
Wednesday, February 12th
10. Do the "Drive Thru Difference" (I know I said no straight money things, but my kids have been begging to do this)  
14. Make No-Sew blankets with MOPS of BUMC
Friday, February 14th (Waiting on Date Confirmation)
4.  Visit nursing home residents- Waiting on Date Confirmation! Email me to be included!
20. Give flowers to the crossing guards on Valentine's day (Doing this, too? Send me a picture!)
Monday, February 17th (Want to come? Send me an email)
18. Help with bagging for the SHARE Food Network at First Mount Zion
Saturday, February 22nd (You can all come.)
30. Fundraiser for your favorite charity.  Well hooray, glad you asked.  I pick the National Brain Tumor Society and you can all come out for it ;) Incidentally, several of you offered to host direct-sales company fundraisers for me, but I can't say yes to all 25 of you in one month, so I am choosing not to do that at this time, but appreciate the thought and emails!!
Tuesday, February 25th (Want to Join Me? Send me an Email!)
19. Soup and Socks for The 25th Project


Don't have dates yet for:
5. Work at the NUMC Food Pantry
6. Volunteer at the PWC Animal Shelter and (bring treats)
8. Breakfast at an ACTS Shelter
9. Dinner at an ACTS Shelter
11. Take Chick Fil A Sandwiches (or coupons) to the homeless (PS- thank you guys for helping me win those from Chick Fil A Sudley Manor Drive!)
13. Help with animal care with Va Reptile Rescue (PS- I am totally scared of this one!)
15. Make Valentines with Eme's Army
21. Help out with miscellaneous tasks at CASA
23. Come and speak to an elementary school writing club about voice and being a writer

Still need ideas for:
25.
26.
27.
28.


Ones that are happening, but in March, not February (and you can come, too!!)
31. Sorting Donations at the ACTS Thrift Store Warehouse
32. Sorting Food in the Food Pantry at ACTS

Ones that didn't make the cut because I'm not medically eligible but are totally fantastic:
~Have a Cheek Swap to Sign up for the Bone Marrow Registry  
~Donate Blood (I'm going to take my husband, who's an O- to donate blood for me. They'll be happier with his anyway!)
~Become an organ donor (I've been one since I got my license, and since I had a primary brain tumor many of my organs are still useful! Didn't you all want to know all about my organs?) ;)